Lloyd Williams uncut: Melbourne Cup-winning owner on Kerry and James Packer, Gillon McLachlan, Peter V’landys and more
Senior News Corp racing writer Ben Dorries chews the fat with seven-time Melbourne Cup winner and businessman Lloyd Williams who gives his take on a host of fascinating issues.
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Seven-time Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams has seen just about everything in his 84 years.
The wealthy businessman and Crown casino founder doesn’t often speak publicly often … but when he does, racing people sit up and take notice.
Williams took time out of a recent holiday in Tropical North Queensland to chew the fat with senior racing writer Ben Dorries.
He opened up on everything from his unique racing partnership with James Packer to his thoughts on new Tabcorp boss Gillon McLachlan and Racing NSW supremo Peter V’landys.
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PACKER – FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE
The famous racing names of Williams and Packer have teamed up again.
But it’s not the 1980s when Williams and the late Kerry Packer terrorised bookies with massive bets and unleashed equine champions such as Mahogany and Merlene.
Williams has joined with Kerry’s son, James, to race horses in partnership, including Irish import Point King who won impressively at The Valley recently and is set to make a spring mark.
Williams chuckled as he revealed James Packer had little idea about horses.
“He has no interest whatsoever, absolutely none,” Williams said.
“James is in America at the moment and I rang him recently to tell him we had a winner.
“All he said was ‘good’ and then he just wanted to talk about what is going to happen in the US presidential election.”
Despite James Packer having nothing like the interest in racing of his legendary dad Kerry, Williams said the racing partnership was special “for old times’ sake”.
“I would have raced 100 horses with Kerry, I’m basically part of the (Packer) family and I’ve known James since he was born,” Williams said.
“We are just doing it for old times’ sake, due to his father’s connection to racing.
“James is a very good friend of mine and we have a lot of business involvements, but the reason he is involved in these horses is the Packer name has been involved before.
“Kerry and I were desperates in the late 1980s.
“We used to frighten the bookies back then.
“My best horse with Kerry was Mahogany who was a standout. Gee, we had some fun.”
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TAB KING GIL
Former AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan took charge of Tabcorp this month and Williams said it was the perfect appointment.
The TAB has often been in the doldrums – losing market share to corporate bookmakers – and ex-CEO Adam Rytenskild resigned in controversy this year.
Williams insisted McLachlan could lift the wagering giant.
“I am an old Tabcorp board member and I think this is an outstanding appointment,” Williams said.
“He certainly has had a great background in sport, in the AFL he doubled it in size financially.
“He is very intelligent, very well-educated and his presentation is outstanding.
“It’s also a wonderful thing that he has a great understanding of racing – he has raced horses and has been a punter.
“It’s the first time Tabcorp has recruited this way – with all the ingredients for success.”
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PVL
Williams admires the style and strength of Racing NSW supremo Peter V’landys, who he said had done marvellous things for racing in NSW.
But Williams maintained the iconic Melbourne Cup carnival was not being surpassed by anything in NSW – and it wouldn’t be for the next quarter of a century.
“Peter V’landys is a very strong leader and he has obviously done a very good job in NSW,” Williams said.
“You would absolutely say that he has won the battle (against Victoria) in the last four or five years.
“He has been very creative, hasn’t he?
“He might now have a couple too many pop-up races, but gee, he has been pretty successful.
“I still think it will be a long while before they challenge the Melbourne Cup carnival which is iconic.
“I’d be very, very surprised if they seriously challenge the Cup carnival in the next 25 years.”
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CORPORATE BOOKIES
Williams isn’t a fan.
He said the Australian wagering industry had gone down the wrong path and should have adopted the Hong Kong or Japanese tote model.
“For the betterment of racing, Hong Kong and Japan are all totes and it works well as all the money goes back to the industry,” Williams said.
“We had the opportunity in Australia to do that, but we went down the other path.
“I’m certainly no fan of corporate bookies.
“As a punter, you know you won’t last long with the percentage they are taking out of bets.
“It’s not something that I would have legislated for.
“If I had my way when I was on the board of the TAB, it would have been all tote and I am sure racing would have been a lot better for it.”
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FAST KAH
Williams said James McDonald was unchallenged as the No.1 jockey in Australia.
But Jamie Kah is making ground.
“I know a good jockey when I see one. I’ve been lucky as I’ve had the likes of Shane Dye, Mick Dittman, Frankie Dettori and Greg Hall ride for me over the years,” Williams said.
“Clearly, James McDonald is the top rider in Australia at the moment, but Jamie Kah is right up there.
“She has got a beautiful seat on a horse hasn’t she, and it can look like poetry in motion when she rides.
“I’ve spoken to her a bit over the years – I gave her one of her first Group winners.
“I don’t know her well, but she is an incredibly talented jockey and racing is lucky to have her.”
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WHERE ARE THE RACING PEOPLE?
Racing has survived countless challenges in its history and Williams is convinced it will find a way to thrive.
But one thing that dismays him is the lack of “racing people” on boards around the country.
“Horse racing just rolls on, it’s a great sport isn’t it?” Williams said.
“But I do notice one thing today with (racing) administration and the people who are on racing committees and the directors.
“There are a lot less dedicated racing people than when I first started in racing.
“A lot of the boards used to have very dedicated and passionate racing people who came from racing and had all raced horses.
“Today, a lot of board members are businesspeople with a passing interest in racing.
“That is the main difference I see.”
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AN EIGHTH MELBOURNE CUP WIN?
Williams used to have his spring carnival arsenal at Victoria’s famed Macedon Lodge property where he kept an eagle eye on how they were prepared and trained.
Now they are spread around various trainers, including Anthony and Sam Freedman in Victoria and Kris Lees in NSW.
Williams said it has made it much harder to get a proper gauge on his spring contenders.
“I find it very difficult with my horses with trainers everywhere, because I don’t know what they do with them,” Williams said.
“They probably do different things than if they were at Macedon.
“It’s probably better that I don’t speak to the trainers too much, because I get too annoyed.
“I would have to say the good Lord would have to shine on me this year to have a serious Melbourne Cup horse.
“A horse like Point King could go on and win a race like The Metropolitan or something – that’s probably his go.
“I have some other spring horses but honestly, what they can do, I have no idea.
“You would have as good an idea as what I would have.”
Williams hasn’t been to the Melbourne Cup since his horses ran the quinella in 2017 – Rekindling and Johannes Vermeer.
He said these days he prefers watching the big races on TV.
“I watch them from home and I’m happy doing that,” Williams said.
“I won’t say that I won’t go to the races again, but I am a very keen watcher of the racing on telly.”
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THE 2026 COX PLATE
Racing must find a new venue for one of Australia’s most famous races in 2026, with The Valley to be closed down for a sweeping redevelopment.
Williams said he hoped the unique Valley racing cauldron didn’t change too drastically – and said it was a no-brainer where the 2026 Cox Plate should be run.
“You would think it would have to be Flemington, that would make total sense to me,” he said.
“It’s a shame actually in a way that Moonee Valley is changing because there are serious traditions and an incredible atmosphere there.”
Originally published as Lloyd Williams uncut: Melbourne Cup-winning owner on Kerry and James Packer, Gillon McLachlan, Peter V’landys and more
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